At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals on their recovery journey from substance misuse in a non-judgemental way.
- Company: Join Manchester City Council and make a real difference in diverse communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 31 days of annual leave, employee discounts, and a defined benefit pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Empower vulnerable residents and help them achieve their full potential.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and understanding of trauma-informed practice required.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
About The Role
Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Style: On Site
Additional Payments: Essential Car User Allowance
Closing Date: 11.59pm, 4 November 2026
Interview Method: Face to Face
You must already have valid right to work in the UK documentation, as we cannot offer visa sponsorship for this role. If you are successful, your appointment will be subject to completing the relevant pre-employment checks. These checks will be carried out as part of our recruitment process and include:
As a Support Worker on the Substance Misuse Team, you will work directly with citizens and Substance Misuse Social Workers. The team provide a specialist social work role forming part of the response to substance misuse in the city. The citizens who you will be working with can often be chaotic in presentation and often face stigma and multiple disadvantage. The team work in a trauma-informed and non-judgemental way, supporting people on their recovery journey. This support spans detoxification, rehabilitation and aftercare, providing continuous support throughout recovery.
In this role you will:
- Work directly with citizens in their homes and other community settings.
- Support individuals with achieving and maintaining a tenancy, addressing issues of debt, benefit uptake and other everyday life challenges.
- Support citizens with tasks identified in social work assessments, including accessing alcohol and drug treatment where barriers prevent independent attendance.
- Work collaboratively with Social Workers, citizens and wider partner organisations.
- Support citizens affected by addiction throughout their recovery journey.
- Work directly with the Team Manager, reporting on completed work and escalating issues requiring a social work response where appropriate.
For queries about the role, please contact the hiring manager, Sarah Durkin, at [email protected] to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role. This route is for vacancy-related enquiries only and should not be used to submit applications.
Pre-Employment Checks
- Essential Car User: This post is designated as an Essential Car User role. Therefore, you must hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work.
- Medical Clearance: Pre-placement Health Assessment (PPHA).
- DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance: The post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
- Satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks where applicable.
About the Candidate
We are looking for someone who is able to manage competing priorities under pressure and who is committed to supporting the most vulnerable residents in our city to achieve their full potential. Someone who is non-judgemental and has an understanding of trauma informed practice who can support and empower the people they are working with. We are looking for someone who is confident in communicating with colleagues and wider external partners and who is able to build effective and therapeutic relationships with citizens and their families/carers.
We'll use the following essential criteria to decide which candidates to invite to assessment. Use your personal statement to provide evidence of how you meet each one, supported by relevant examples:
- Communication skills - Ability to communicate clearly and effectively taking account of individual need including consideration of accessibility issues.
- Planning, Organisation and Time Management - Demonstrate excellent judgement skills under competing priorities and pressure.
- Problem Solving and Decision Making - Ability to react to immediate problems of a highly complex nature with associated risk factors and deliver pragmatic solutions sometimes under extreme pressure.
- ICT Skills - Able to use basic applications and software to keep accurate records.
If you're invited to assessment, we'll look at a wider range of the role requirements. For more detail, please see the role profile.
Use of AI
You may use AI to support your application, but all examples must be your own and based on real experience. Applications may be withdrawn if content is misleading or presents someone else's experience as your own. Internal candidates may also face disciplinary action.
Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
We guarantee progression to the assessment stage for applicants who meet the essential criteria used for shortlisting and are eligible under the scheme.
Support and Adjustments
If you're successful in securing a role, we'll make every effort to provide the support, equipment and reasonable adjustments you need to carry out your duties. Where needed, we'll consider adapting aspects of the role.
About Us
Working for Manchester City Council is a chance to make a real difference in a diverse city. You'll help improve lives and support our local communities. Working together, we can create better public services for everyone.
Benefits we offer
- Up to 26 days' annual leave, rising to 31 days after five years' service.
- Buy up to two extra weeks' leave.
- Up to 3 days' volunteering leave.
- A 35-hour work week for full-time roles.
- We review pay each year and recognise three trade unions.
- A defined benefit pension scheme.
- Enhanced parental and carers leave.
- Employee discounts and perks.
Our commitment to inclusion
At Manchester City Council, we're dedicated to creating a workplace that fully reflects the diversity of our local communities. We actively encourage applications from people of all ages and backgrounds and are particularly keen to hear from applicants from ethnic minority communities and disabled people, who remain underrepresented in parts of our workforce.
GM Elevate Programme
If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the 'Personal Statement' section or 'Supporting Statement' section of your application.
Accessible Formats
Use ReciteMe through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. It has tools such as text-to-speech, language translations, and adjustable text size and colour.
Support Worker Substance Misuse employer: Manchester City Council
At Crosslee Community Primary School, part of the CLIC Co-operative Trust, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where every team member is valued. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our collaborative culture, which encourages professional development and embraces diversity. Located in Greater Manchester, we offer a flexible working schedule that aligns with school hours, allowing for a balanced work-life experience while making a meaningful impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker Substance Misuse
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Manchester City Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Manchester City Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Manchester City Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Manchester City Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Support Worker Substance Misuse
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Manchester City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Manchester City Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Manchester City Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
